Storytelling for Small Business: What to Share When You Don’t Know What to Say

What to Share When You Don’t Know What to Say

So you’re staring at a blinking cursor, wondering what to post.

You know you “should be posting more,” but you feel stuck — like you’ve said everything already, or like no one really cares what you have to say.

First of all? That’s normal.
Second? You don’t need to be a professional writer or a social media guru to create content that connects.

You just need to tell simple, honest stories.

Why stories work

Think about the last few posts you remembered on social media.
Were they perfectly polished ads? Probably not.

They were likely:

• A small biz owner sharing a behind-the-scenes moment

• A funny or relatable caption

• A heartfelt story about why someone started their business

• A tip or lesson from someone who’s been where you are

Stories work because they’re human.
They create connection — and connection builds trust.

So what do you actually share?

Here are a few categories of content that always work — and always feel human:

1. The “why I do this” post

People love to know the heart behind your business. What inspired you to start? What keeps you going?

Example:
“I started this biz from my kitchen table with $200 and a dream to make something meaningful in Chilliwack.”

2. The “behind the scenes” post

Show your process. What goes into creating your product, preparing your service, or running your day?

Example:
“A little peek at how I prep for market mornings. Coffee first, always ☕”

3. The “get to know me” post

Introduce yourself — again! New followers are joining all the time, and even longtime ones forget.

Example:
“Hey! I’m [your name], the face behind [your business]. I live in Chilliwack with my dog/kids/plants, and I started this biz because…”

4. The “teach something small” post

Share a quick tip, FAQ, or piece of advice related to what you do. Bonus: this builds trust and positions you as an expert.

Example:
“Not sure which [product/service] is right for you? Here’s how I help people decide.”

5. The “customer love” post

Share a review, a thank-you, or a repost from someone who supports you.

Example:
“So grateful for this sweet feedback from a recent client — made my whole week.”

Need more inspiration?

Here are 10 fill-in-the-blank storytelling prompts you can use any time:

1. “When I started this business, I had no idea ____.”

2. “Here’s what a day in my business really looks like…”

3. “This time last year, I was ____.”

4. “One thing I wish more people knew about my work is ____.”

5. “If I could go back and tell myself one thing when I started, it would be ____.”

6. “I created this product/service because ____.”

7. “Here’s a look at my setup before an event/shoot/market.”

8. “Let me introduce myself… again!”

9. “The best part of my job is ____.”

10. “This kind message made my day: [insert short testimonial or DM]”

Don’t overthink it.

You don’t need to write a novel.
You don’t need perfect grammar.
You don’t need to spill your life story.

You just need to show up and share something real.
A little honesty goes a long way.

Coming Up Next:

In the next post, we’ll talk about visuals — how to take better photos (even with your phone) and create a consistent look without hiring a pro every time.

Your story is your most powerful marketing tool.
And the best part? No one else can tell it quite like you.

📣 NEW BLOG SERIES: Marketing Your Chilliwack Biz

You started your business to do what you love — maybe baking, building, painting, planning, serving, or selling something awesome. But now you’re finding out that running a business also means... marketing. Social media. Emails. Photos. Hashtags. Algorithms. Buzzwords.

Feeling overwhelmed yet? You’re not alone.

This new blog series is here to break it down for you — in plain English, with local flair. No jargon. No pressure to “go viral.” Just helpful tips that make sense for real Chilliwack businesses.

Whether you're a home-based maker, a downtown shop owner, a tradesperson, or running a side hustle, these posts are here to help you:

• get seen,

• connect with your people,

• and grow in a way that feels like you.

Start Here: What is Marketing (Really)?

Let’s be honest: most small business owners didn’t get into this to become marketers.

You’re juggling orders, emails, invoices, inventory, kids, chores, and the actual work your business does. Then someone tells you, “You really need to be on Instagram more.” Or “Have you tried email marketing?” Or “You should totally go viral on TikTok.”

Cue the eye roll.

Here’s a breath of fresh air: marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
And it doesn’t have to feel fake, forced, or expensive.

So, what even is marketing?

In simple terms, marketing is everything you do to help people…

1. Know you exist

2. Understand what you offer

3. Trust you enough to buy from you

It’s not just ads or salesy pitches. It’s the everyday stuff that helps people get to know you and your business.

If you’ve ever...

• Posted a behind-the-scenes photo of your setup

• Answered questions in your DMs

• Offered a little free advice to someone curious about what you do

• Put out a sandwich board on the sidewalk

• Shared your story on your website or social media

• Asked a happy customer to leave a review

...guess what? You’re already marketing. 🎉

Good marketing is just good communication.

It’s about showing up and connecting — not being perfect, not having a huge following, not spending thousands on ads. Just helping people understand who you are, what you do, and why it matters.

People buy from businesses they:

• Know

• Like

• Trust

So your job as a marketer (yes, you're one now!) is to help that happen. And the best part? You can do it in a way that fits you.

What marketing isn’t:

• It’s not having a perfect aesthetic grid.

• It’s not being on every platform.

• It’s not faking a big personality you don’t have.

• It’s not pushing things on people who don’t need them.

Let’s throw all that out the window.

So, where do you begin?

Start small. Choose one way to show up this week:

• Share a photo and tell a short story behind it.

• Introduce yourself on your feed or in a Reel.

• Show the process of something you’re working on.

• Ask your audience a question to get them talking.

You don’t need a giant strategy yet. You just need to start.

Coming up next:

In our next post, we’ll talk about something you do have — and the big businesses can’t buy: your local edge. Learn how being a small business in Chilliwack gives you an automatic marketing advantage (and how to use it to your benefit!).

You’ve got this. We’re cheering you on — and we’re right here with you.